First network node, second network node, and methods performed therein in a communication network

Abstract

Embodiments herein may relate to, for example, a method performed by a first network node for handling communication in a communication network. The first network node (140) transmits to a second network node (150), an indication indicating a request for the second network node (150) to report power information paired with timing information for one or more channel response measurements.

Description

[0001] FIRST NETWORK NODE, SECOND NETWORK NODE, AND METHODS PERFORMED THEREIN IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments herein relate to a first network node, a second network node, and methods performed therein regarding wireless communication. Furthermore, a computer program product and a computer readable storage medium are also provided herein. In particular, embodiments herein relate to handling communication, such as positioning a user equipment (UE), in a communication network.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In a typical communication network, UEs, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (ST A) and / or wireless devices, communicate via a Radio Access Network (RAN) with one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area that is divided into service areas or cells, with each service area or cell being served by a radio network node, such as an access node, e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be called, for example, a NodeB, a gNodeB (gNB), or an eNodeB. A service area or a cell is a geographical area in which radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node operates on radio frequencies to communicate over an air interface with the UEs within range of the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over a downlink (DL) to the UE and the UE communicates over an uplink (UL) to the radio network node.

[0006] A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation (3G) telecommunication network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and / or High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for communication with user equipment. In a forum known as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and future generation networks and investigate, for example, enhanced data rates and radio capacity. In some RANs, such as UMTS, several radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates various activities of the multiple radio network nodes connected thereto. The RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.

[0007] Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within the 3GPP and coming 3GPP releases, such as New Radio (NR), are being worked on. The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN / LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network. As such, the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS has an architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.

[0008] With the emerging 5G technologies such as NR, the use of many transmit- and receiveantenna elements may be of great interest as it makes it possible to utilize beamforming, such as transmit-side and receive-side beamforming. Transmit-side beamforming means that the transmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected direction or directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in other directions. Similarly, on the receive-side, a receiver can amplify signals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressing unwanted signals from other directions. NR is connected to the 5G Core Network (5GC) which comprises a number of Network Functions (NF) such as Session Management Function (SMF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Authentication Service Function (AUSF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Unified Data Manager (UDM), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), just to mention some. In the 5GC, NFs can discover other NFs by using a discovery service provided by the NRF.

[0009] The overall 5G RAN (NG-RAN) architecture is depicted in Fig. 1A. The NG-RAN consists of a set of gNBs connected to the 5GC through the NG interface. TS 38.401 v.18.0.0 describes the overall NG-RAN architecture. A disaggregated gNB may consist of a gNB-central unit (CU) and one or more gNB-distributed units (DU). The Xn-C interface connects two gNB- CUs and the F1 interface connects a gNB-CU and a gNB-DU. As shown in Fig. 1A, this interface is responsible for possible information and control signaling from a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity located in the CU and a radio link control (RLC) entity located in the DU.

[0010] Fig. 1B shows the Control plane (CP) and User plane (UP) between the NG-RAN, such as a master node (MN) and a secondary node (SN), and the 5GC, such as an AMF or a user plane function (UPF).

[0011] The gNB with the split architecture is depicted in Fig. 1C.

[0012] A gNB-CU hosts the radio resource control (RRC) and / or the control plane part of the PDCP, and a gNB-DU hosts RLC, medium access control (MAC) and the physical layer (PHY). The E1 interface connects between a gNB-CU-CP and a gNB-CU-UP.

[0013] Before release (Rel)-16, LTE based positioning was one of the prevalent radio access technologies (RAT) based positioning solutions available. Starting from Rel-16 specification, positioning is also supported in NR. Positioning in NR is supported by the architecture shown in Fig. 1D. The interactions between the gNB and the UE, are supported via the RRC protocol, while the location node interfaces with the UE via the LTE positioning protocol (LPP). The LPP is acommon protocol for both NR and LTE. A location management function (LMF) is the location node in NR. There are also interactions between the location node and the gNB via the New Radio Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) protocol.

[0014] The positioning architecture shown in Fig. 1D may also be used to support positioning based on artificial intelligence (Al) and / or machine learning (ML). Work on Rel-19 introduces AI / ML based positioning that will not only exploit the legacy protocol but will also rely on already defined and / or existing reference signals that are used for positioning.

[0015] In case of split architecture, the positioning messages may be signaled between the gNB-CU and the gNB-DU where a transmission and reception point (TRP) resides.

[0016] SUMMARY

[0017] As part of developing embodiments herein one or more issues have been identified. In the AI / ML based positioning work item, different scenarios are grouped into cases. For AI / ML based positioning case 3b, wherein positioning is performed measuring on, e.g., sounding reference signal (SRS) signals from the UE, and SRS measurements are used in an LMF-sided model such as an AI / ML model, the following agreements have been taken:

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021] Currently it is not possible for a gNB measuring channel responses to know when the paired power information should be included in the channel response message. Thus, the requesting network node may not be able to perform model inference, optimize, update, change, or perform actions related to positioning in the communication network leading to a limited performance of the communication network.

[0022] An object of embodiments herein is to improve performance of a communication network. According to an aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a first network node, such as CN node, a CU, a CP unit, a source or target radio network node, for handling communication in a communication network. The first network node transmits to a second network node, an indication indicating a request for the second network node to report power information paired with a timing information for one or more channel response measurements.

[0023] According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a second network node, such as an NG-RAN node, a DU, a UP unit, a source / target radio network node, for handling communication in a communication network. The second network node receives from a first network node, an indication indicating a request for the second network node to report power information paired with a timing information for one or more channel response measurements.

[0024] It is furthermore provided herein a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the methods herein, as performed by the first network node and the second network node,respectively. It is additionally provided herein a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the methods herein, as performed by the first network node and the second network node, respectively.

[0025] Furthermore, according to another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a first network node and a second network node configured to perform the methods herein, respectively.

[0026] Thus, according to an aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a first network node, such as ON node, a CU, a CP unit, a source or target radio network node, for handling communication in a communication network. The first network node is configured to transmit to a second network node, an indication indicating a request for the second network node to report power information paired with a timing information for one or more channel response measurements.

[0027] According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a second network node, such as an NG-RAN node, a DU, a UP unit, a source / target radio network node, for handling communication in a communication network. The second network node is configured to receive from a first network node, an indication indicating a request for the second network node to report power information paired with a timing information for one or more channel response measurements.

[0028] It is proposed herein to enable support for requesting power information paired with the timing information, e.g., in a NG-RAN split architecture the request may be sent over an F1 interface between a gNB-CU and a gNB- DU, and / or over an NG interface between two gNB-CUs. As an example, a gNB-CU, being an example of the first network node, may enquire a gNB-DU, being an example of the second network node, to report the power information paired with the timing information when requesting for channel response measurements. Additionally, or alternatively, an LMF, being another example of the first network node, may enquire the gNB, being another example of the second network node, to report the power information paired with the timing information when requesting for channel response measurements. Embodiments herein allow the measuring second network node to know when power information needs also to be measured and reported together with the timing information in, for example, a channel response information element (IE), so that first network node may get all information to perform actions such as perform an AI / ML model inference. Embodiments herein enable an efficient handling of, e.g., AI / ML model inference for positioning a UE, and thereby may improve performance, or experienced performance, of the communication network.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSEmbodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0030] Fig. 1 A shows an architecture according to prior art;

[0031] Fig. 1B shows an architecture according to prior art;

[0032] Fig. 1C shows an architecture according to prior art;

[0033] Fig. 1D shows a positioning architecture according to prior art;

[0034] Fig. 2 shows an overview depicting a communication network according to embodiments herein;

[0035] Fig. 3 is a combined flowchart and signaling scheme according to embodiments herein; Fig. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a first network node according to embodiments herein;

[0036] Fig. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method performed by a second network node according to embodiments herein;

[0037] Fig. 6 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a first network node according to embodiments herein;

[0038] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a second network node according to embodiments herein;

[0039] Fig. 8 shows an example of a communication system 15100 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0040] Fig. 9 shows a communication system 15200 in accordance with some embodiments; Fig. 10 shows a UE 15300 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0041] Fig. 11 is a block diagram of a network node 15400 in accordance with various aspects described herein; and

[0042] Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 15500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized.

[0043] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Embodiments herein relate to communication networks in general. Fig. 2 is a schematic overview depicting a communication network 1. The communication network 1 comprises one or more radio access networks (RAN) and one or more core networks (CN). The communication network 1 may use one or a number of different technologies. Embodiments herein relate to recent technology trends that are of particular interest in a New Radio (NR) context, however, embodiments are also applicable in further upcoming wireless communications systems such as 6G, and / or development of existing wireless communications systems such as e.g. Long-Term Evolution (LTE) or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA).

[0045] In the communication network 1, a user equipment (UE) 10 exemplified herein as a wireless device such as a mobile station, a non-access point (non-AP) station (STA), a STA and / ora wireless terminal, is comprised communicating via e.g. one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more CNs. It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “UE” is a nonlimiting term which means any terminal, wireless communications terminal, user equipment, narrowband internet of things (NB-loT) device, a vehicle, a smart watch, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station capable of communicating using radio communication with a radio network node within an area served by the radio network node.

[0046] The communication network 1 comprises a first radio network node 12 or just radio network node, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area 11 or first cell, of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as 6G, NR, LTE, or similar. The first radio network node 12 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, a distributed unit (DU), an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a UE within the area served by the first radio network node 12 depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used. The first radio network node 12 may be referred to as a serving radio network node wherein the service area may be referred to as a serving cell, and the serving network node communicates with the wireless device in form of DL transmissions to the wireless device and UL transmissions from the wireless device. It should be noted that a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.

[0047] The communication network 1 comprises a second radio network node 13 or just radio network node, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a second service area 14 or second cell, of a second radio access technology (RAT), such as 6G, NR, LTE, or similar. The second radio network node 13 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a gNB, an eNB or eNode B, a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a WLAN access point or an AP STA, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a wireless device within the area served by the second radio network node 13 depending e.g. on the second radio access technology and terminology used. The second radio network node 13 may be referred to as a visiting radio network node or target radio network node, wherein the service area may be referred to as a visiting cell or target cell, and the second radio network node 13 communicates with the UE 10 in form of DL transmissions to the UE 10 and UL transmissionsfrom the UE 10. It should be noted that a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.

[0048] The first RAT may be the same RAT as the second RAT or the first RAT may be a different RAT than the second RAT.

[0049] The communication network 1 may further comprise a number of CN nodes providing, e.g. in NR, network functions (NF) or actually instantiations of NFs also referred to as NF instances, such as a first core network node 16 providing, for example, an instantiation of an location management function (LMF), a second core network node 17 providing an instantiation of a access management function (AMF), and a third core network node 18 providing, for example, an instantiation of an network repository function (NRF), or any other NF instances in the communication network 1. The different NF instances may have different tasks. Other functions may be for 6G, or LTE such as Mobility Management Entity (MME) or similar.

[0050] The respective node may be a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or processing resources in a server farm or same node. Embodiments herein may be implemented as physical bare metal, virtual or cloud native such as Kubernetes environment in e.g. hyper-cloud networks.

[0051] A new channel response measurement may be introduced to support, for example, an LMF requesting channel information containing timing information. The new channel response measurement may be encoded as follows:

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055]

[0056]

[0057] The new channel response measurement may comprise the timing information based on granularity, e.g., k-values in RAN1 agreements, and optionally the UL-SRS-reference signal received path power (RSRPP) corresponding to the paired power information.

[0058] A radio network node, such as a gNB, may report the timing information, but not always the power information when requested to measure the channel response. It is not possible for the gNB to know when the paired power information should be included in the channel response message. Thus, the requesting network node may not be able to perform model inference, optimize, update, change, or perform actions related to positioning in the communication network.

[0059] According to embodiments herein a first network node 140, such as the first core network node 16, the first radio network node 12, a central unit (CU), a control plane (CP) node, the second radio network node 13, or similar, transmits to a second network node 150 such as the first radio network node 12, the second radio network node 13, a DU, a target radio network node, a user plane (UP) node, or similar, an indication indicating a request for the second network node to report power information paired with a timing information for one or more channel response measurements.

[0060] The first network node 140, which may be a CN node, a gNB-CU, or a gNB-CU-CP, provides the indication indicating a request for the second network node 150 to report power information paired with a timing information when requesting for one or more measurements such as channel response measurements. Thus, the second network node 150, which can be a RANnode, a gNB-CU, gNB-DU or gNB-CU-UP, receives the indication indicating the request to report power information paired with the timing information when requesting for one or more measurements such as channel response measurements. The indication may be comprised in a NG application protocol (AP), XnAP, F1AP, or E1AP message. The second network node 150 further transmits a report indication to the first network node 140 with the requested information. That is, the report indication indicates measured power information and the timing information related to the one or more channel response measurements.

[0061] Embodiments herein allow the second network node 150 to know when power information also needs to be measured and reported together with the timing information in, for example, the channel response information element (IE). This enables the first network node 140 to get all information to trigger or perform AI / ML model inference for positioning a UE. Timing information may be time stamps, k values, or the like. Embodiments herein enable an efficient handling of model inference for positioning the UE 10, and thereby may improve performance, or experienced performance, of the communication network. AI / ML model inference is a function that provides outputs from the process of applying artificial intelligence (Al) / machine learning (ML) models or AI / ML functionalities, using the data that is provided by, e.g., the second network node 150, i.e., inference Data, as an input. The inference function may also be responsible for data preparation e.g., data pre-processing and cleaning, formatting, and transformation, based on inference data delivered by a data collection function, if required.

[0062] Fig. 3 is a combined flow chart and signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein.

[0063] Action 301. The first network node 140 transmits, to the second network node 150, the indication indicating a request for the second network node 150 to report power information paired with a timing information for one or more channel response measurements.

[0064] Action 302. The second network node 150 may perform one or more measurements and register measured power and / or timing information related to the one or more measurements.

[0065] Action 303. The second network node 150 may transmit to the first network node 140, a report indication indicating the measured power information and timing information related to one or more measurements. The power information may be paired with a timing information related to a measurement. The one or more measurements may be related to one or more positioning measurements.

[0066] Action 304. The first network node 140 may perform an action based on the report indication. The first network node 140 may perform positioning of one or more UEs. The first network node 140 may perform a model inference for positioning, optimize, update, change, and / or action related to positioning based on the received report indication. Thus, the first network node140 may use the measured power information and the paired timing information of the one or more measurements to determine a position of a UE, for example, in an AI / ML model.

[0067] The method actions performed by the first network node 140, such as a CN node, a CU, a source radio network node, a CP node, or the first core network node 16 such as an LMF, for handling communication in the communication network, for example, handling positioning of the UE 10, according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 4. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below but may be taken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.

[0068] Action 401. The first network node 140 transmits to the second network node 150, the indication indicating the request for the second network node 150 to report the power information paired with the timing information for one or more channel response measurements. The indication may be a text string, a value, an index value or a flag. The power information and the timing information may be related to one or more SRSs. The indication may be transmitted in an NRPPa, or an F1AP.

[0069] Action 402. The first network node 140 may receive the report indication from the second network node 150. The report indication indicates the measured power information and the timing information related to one or more channel response measurements. The one or more channel response measurements may be related to positioning of one or more UEs. The power information may be paired with the timing information related to a measurement. The report indication may be one or more values, index values, or flags. The measured power information may comprise measured RSRPP, and / or measured RSRP.

[0070] Action 403. The first network node 140 may perform the action based on the report indication. The first network node 140 may perform the positioning of one or more UEs based on the received report indication. The first network node 140 may optimize, update, change, and / or perform action related to positioning based on the received report indication, such as using the received report indication in a model inference. The first network node 140 may perform AI / ML model inference for positioning the UE 10 using the received report indication comprising the measured power information and the paired timing information.

[0071] The method actions performed by the second network node 150, such as a radio network node, a DU, the second radio network node 13, a UP node, and / or a radio access network node such as the first radio network node 12, for handling communication in the communication network 1 according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 5. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below but may be taken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.Action 501. The second network node 150 receives from the first network node 140 the indication indicating the request for the second network node 150 to report the power information paired with the timing information when requesting for one or more channel response measurements. The indication may be received in a NRPPa, or an F1AP.

[0072] Action 502. The second network node 150 may measure signal power and / or timing information of one or more signals. The second network node 150 may measure signal power, such as reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal to noise ratio (SNR) or similar, for positioning one or more devices, such as the UE 10. The signal power may be measured on one or more signals such as SRSs. The power information and the timing information may, thus, be related to one or more SRSs. A measurement may be time stamped. Thus, the second network node 150 may register time information paired of respective measure signal power.

[0073] Action 503. The second network node 150 transmits the report indication to the first network node 140. The report indication indicates measured power information and the timing information related to the one or more channel response measurements. The one or more channel response measurements may be related to positioning of one or more UEs. The power information may be paired with a timing information related to a measurement. The report indication may be one or more values, index values or flags.

[0074] In the following embodiments, the second network node 150 is exemplified as a gNB and may alternatively be referred to as a “network node” or a “TRP”.

[0075] In one embodiment, when the LMF, being an example of the first network node 140, requests a measurement from a gNB, being an example of the second network node 150, the gNB receives the indication from the LMF to additionally report power information for the requested measurement. The power information is for the same measurement source, such as a reference signal, e.g., an SRS, as the requested measurement. The indication may be present in the new radio positioning protocol A (NRPPa) MEASUREMENT REQUEST message defined in 3GPP TS 38.455 v.18.5.0.

[0076] In some embodiments, the indication may be a new bit in the Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator IE, comprised in a message, as shown below underlined, bold and italic in section 9.2.81.

[0077] The request may be for path power information expressed in RSRPP, or power information expressed as RSRP. The indication may comprise multiple bits, which may encode the request of what is requested.

[0078] The request may be made of two bits coding for the four following states: RSRP, RSRPP, or both, or nothing. For example, ‘00’ no request, ‘01’ RSRP, ‘10’ RSRPP, and ‘11’ both.9.2.81 Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator

[0079] This IE contains the measurement characteristic information requested by LMF. Changes are marked as bold, underlined and in italic font.

[0080]

[0081] In some embodiments, a gNB-DU, being an example of the second network node 150, receives the indication from a gNB-CU, being an example of the first network node 140, to reportthe power information paired with timing information when requesting a channel response measurement.

[0082] In some embodiments, the indication may be present in the F1AP POSITIONING MEASUREMENT REQUEST message defined in TS 38.473 v.18.5.0.

[0083] In some embodiments, the indication may be a new bit in the Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator IE comprised in a message, as shown below underlined, bold, and italic in section 9.3.1.254.

[0084] The request may be for path power information expressed in RSRPP, or power information such as RSRP. The indication may comprise multiple bits, which encode what power information is requested in the request.

[0085] The request may be made of two bits coding for the four following states: request for RSRP, RSRPP, both, or nothing. For example, ‘00’ no request, ‘01’ RSRP, ‘10’ RSRPP, and ‘11’ both.

[0086] 9.3.1.254 Measurement Characteristics Request Indicator

[0087] This IE contains the measurement characteristic information requested by the gNB-CU. Changes are marked as bold, underlined and italic text.

[0088]

[0089]

[0090] Fig. 6 is a block diagram depicting the first network node 140, such as the CN node, the source radio network node, the CU, CP node, the source / target radio network node, for handling communication in the communication network 1 according to embodiments herein.

[0091] The first network node 140 may comprise processing circuitry 601, e.g. one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

[0092] The first network node 140 and / or the processing circuitry 601 is configured to transmit to the second network node 140, the indication indicating the request for the second network node 150 to report the power information paired with the timing information for the one or more channel response measurements. The indication may be a value, an index value or a flag. The power information and the timing information may be related to one or more SRSs. The indication may be transmitted in an NRPPa, or an F1AP.

[0093] The first network node 140 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to receive the report indication from the second network node 150. The report indication may indicate the measured power information and the timing information related to the one or more channel response measurements. The one or more channel response measurements may be related to positioning of one or more UEs. The report indication may be a value, an index value or a flag. The measured power information may comprise measured RSRPP, and / or measured RSRP.

[0094] The first network node 140 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to perform the action based on the report indication. The first network node 140 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to perform positioning of one or more UEs based on the received report indication. The first network node 140 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to optimize, update, change, and / or perform action related to positioning based on the received report indication, such as using the received report indication in a model inference. The firstnetwork node 140 and / or the processing circuitry 601 may be configured to perform AI / ML model inference for positioning the UE 10 using the received report indication.

[0095] The first network node 140 may comprise a memory 605. The memory 605 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, indications, positioning information, Al model for positioning, messages, support information, support indications, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the first network node 140 may comprise a communication interface 606 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and / or one or more antennas.

[0096] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first network node 140 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product 607 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node 140. The computer program product 607 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 608, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick, a remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), readonly memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media, or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 608, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node 140. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose the first network node 140 for handling communication in a communication network, wherein the first network node 140 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said first network node 140 is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0097] Fig. 7 is a block diagram depicting the second network node 150, such as a radio access network node e.g. the first radio network node 12, the second radio network node 13, a DU, and / or a UP node, for handling communication in the communication network 1 according to embodiments herein.

[0098] The second network node 150 may comprise processing circuitry 701, e.g. one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

[0099] The second network node 150 and / or the processing circuitry 701 is configured to receive from the first network node 140 the indication indicating the request for the second network node 150 to report the power information paired with the timing information when requesting for the one or more channel response measurements. The indication may be received in a NRPPa, or an F1AP.The second network node 150 and / or the processing circuitry 701 is configured to transmit the report indication to the first network node 140. The report indication indicates the measured power information and the timing information related to the one or more channel response measurements. The one or more channel response measurements may be related for positioning. The report indication may be a value, an index value or a flag.

[0100] The second network node 150 and / or the processing circuitry 701 may be configured to measure the signal power and / or the timing information of one or more signals. The power information and the timing information may be related to one or more SRSs. The second network node 150 and / or the processing circuitry 701 may be configured to measure signal power such as RSRP, RSRQ, SNR or similar for positioning one or more devices such as the UE 10, of one or more signals such as SRSs.

[0101] The second network node 150 may comprise a memory 705. The memory 705 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, indications, messages, report indications, information, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the second network node 150 may comprise a communication interface 706 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and / or one or more antennas.

[0102] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the second network node 150 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product 707 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second network node 150. The computer program product 707 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 708, e.g., a disc, a USB stick, a remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, RAM, ROM, mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media, or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 708, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second network node 150. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose the second network node 150 for handling communication in a communication network, wherein the second network node 150 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said second network node 150 is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0103] Fig. 8 shows an example of a communication system 15100 in accordance with some embodiments.In the example, the communication system 15100 includes a telecommunications network 15102 that includes an access network 15104, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 15106, which includes one or more core network nodes 15108. The access network 15104 includes one or more access network nodes or base stations of various types, access network nodes 15110A and 15110B are depicted (which may be collectively referred to as network nodes 15110 or first / second network nodes 140 / 150), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP access points (APs). Some embodiments of the access network 15104 may include more than one access network technology. The network nodes 15110 of access network 15104 facilitate direct or indirect connection of wireless devices, also referred to as UEs, such as by connecting UEs 15112A, 15112B, 15112C, and 15112D (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 15112 or UE 10) to the core network 15106 over one or more wireless connections.

[0104] Moreover, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes include disaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunications network 15102 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a network node in the telecommunications network 15102 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other network nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any network node in the telecommunications network 15102, including one or more access network nodes 15110 and / or core network nodes 15108 such as first / second network node.

[0105] Examples of an ORAN network node include an open radio unit (O-RU), an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open central unit (O-CU), including an O-CU control plane (O-CU-CP) or an O-CU user plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non-real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). An ORAN network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an A1 , F1 , W1 , E1 , E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN network node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies.The network nodes 15110 facilitate direct or indirect connection of one or more UEs 15112 to the core network 15106 over one or more wireless connections. Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 15100 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 15100 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0106] The UEs 15112 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 15110 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 15108, 15110 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., via other devices of telecommunications network 15102) with the UEs 15112 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunications network 15102 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunications network 15102. More specifically, UEs 15112 may send messages, data, and / or other signals to network nodes 15108, 15110 or other elements of the telecommunications network 15102 by transmitting such signals to the relevant device directly without the signals passing through any intervening devices or by transmitting such signals to the relevant device indirectly through an intervening device (or multiple intervening devices) that then transmit the signal to the relevant device. Similarly, network nodes 15108, 15110 may send messages, data, and other signals to UEs 151122, other network nodes 15108, 15110, and other devices in telecommunications network 15102 directly or indirectly. As one specific example, a core network node 108 may transmit a particular message to a UE 15112 by transmitting the message to an access network node 15110 that will then transmit the message to the intended UE 15112.

[0107] Similarly, a core network node 108 may receive a particular message from a UE 15112 by receiving the message from an access network node 15110 that itself received the message from the UE 15112.

[0108] In the depicted example, the core network 15106 connects elements of the access network 15104 (e.g., one or more of the network nodes 15110) to one or more host computing systems, such as host 15116. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 15106 includes one or more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 15108) of various types, one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 15108.Network nodes 15108 are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, access network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 15108 being examples of the first network node 140. Example core network nodes provide functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0109] The host 15116 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 15104 and / or the telecommunications network 15102. The host 15116 may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 15116 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0110] As a whole, the communication system 15100 of Figure 8 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system 15100 may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (Wi-Fi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-Max), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, Li-Fi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox. Moreover, the communication system 15100 may be configured to support multiple different standards, protocols, or other rule sets, with individual components supporting all of the relevant rule sets or with different components or sub-systems within the communication system 15100 supporting different standards, protocols, or rule sets.

[0111] As one example, in certain embodiments, access network 15104 may contain some access network nodes 15110 that support 3GPP radio access technologies (RAT), such as LTE or NR, while other access network nodes 15110 support (or the same access network nodes 15110 additionally support) non-3GPP RATs, such as Wi-Fi or a proprietary RAT. As another example,telecommunications network 15102 may support multiple generations of related communication standards, e.g., 4G and 5G 3GPP communication standards, and, as a result, may include an access network 104 and / or a core network 106 that supports multiple different standard generations or may include multiple access networks 104 and / or multiple core networks 106 with individual networks 104, 106 supporting different standard generations.

[0112] Telecommunications network 15102 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunications network 15102. For example, the telecommunications network 15102 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC)ZMassive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0113] In some examples, one or more of the UEs 15112 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 15104 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 15104. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0114] In the example, the hub 15114 communicates with the access network 15104 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 15112C and / or 15112D) and network nodes (e.g., network node 15110B). In some examples, the hub 15114 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 15114 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 15106 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 15114 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 15110, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 15114.

[0115] As another example, the hub 15114 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 15114 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 15114 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 15114 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 15114 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.The hub 15114 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 15110B. The hub 15114 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 15114 and UEs (e.g., UE 15112C and / or 15112D), and between the hub 15114 and the core network 15106. In other examples, the hub 15114 is connected to the core network 15106 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 15114 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 15104 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 15110 while still connected via the hub 15114 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 15114 may be a dedicated hub -that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 15110B. In other embodiments, the hub 15114 may be a non-dedicated hub -that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 15110B, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0116] Figure 9 is another example of a communication system 15200 according to some embodiments. As used herein, the communication system 15200 includes multiple access points (APs) 15210 (with four exemplary APs 15210A, 15210B, 15210C, and 15210D being depicted) and multiple wireless devices, referred to in the context of communication system 15200 as stations (STAs) 15212 (referred to individually as STA 15212A, STA 15212B, STA 15212C, STA 15212D, and STA 15212E). STA 15212A is served by AP 15210A in a first basic service set (BSS) 15220A. STA 15210B and STA 15210C are served by AP 15210B in a second BSS, BSS 15220B. STA 15212D is served by AP 15210C in a third BSS, BSS 15220C. STA 15212E is served by AP 15210D in a fourth BSS, BSS 15220D. Stations 15212 may be non-AP STAs and correspond to various kinds of wireless devices, for example, user terminals, such as mobile or stationary computing devices like smartphones, laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, gaming devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs) for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), or the like. Further, stations 15212 could, for example, correspond to other kinds of equipment like smart home devices, printers, multimedia devices, data storage devices, or the like.

[0117] Each of STAs 15212 may connect through a radio link to one of APs 15210. For example, depending on location or channel conditions experienced by a given STA 15212, the STA may select an appropriate AP and BSS for establishing the radio link. The radio link may be based on one or more orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) carriers from a frequency spectrum that is shared on the basis of a contention-based mechanism, e.g., an unlicensed or license exempt band like 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, or the 60 GHz band.

[0118] Each AP 15210 may provide data connectivity to STAs 15212 connected to a particular AP 15210. As illustrated, APs 15210 may be connected to a data network 15230. In this way, APs15210 may also provide data connectivity between STAs 15212 and other entities, e.g., to one or more servers, service providers, data sources, data sinks, user terminals, or the like. Accordingly, the radio link established between a given STA 15212 and its serving AP 15210 may be used for providing various kinds of services to STA 15212, e.g., a voice service, a multimedia service, or other data service. Such services may be based on applications that are executed on STA 15212 and / or on a device linked to STA 15212. Byway of example, Figure 9 illustrates an application service platform 15232 provided in data network 15230. The application(s) executed on STA 15212 and / or on one or more other devices linked to STA 15212 may use the radio link for data communication with one or more other STA 15212 and / or the application service platform 15232, thereby enabling utilization of the corresponding service(s) at STA 15212.

[0119] Figure 10 shows a wireless device 15300, which may be configured to operate in communication system 15100 of Figure 8 or in communication system 15200 of Figure 9. The wireless device 15300 may be alternatively referred to as a UE 15300, like a UE 15112 within the context of communication system 15100, or as a station (STA) 15300 or as a non-access-point station (non-AP STA) 15300, like a STA 15212 within the context of the communication system 15200, in accordance with respective embodiments. As used herein, a wireless device refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Examples of a wireless device include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, and wireless terminal. Other examples include any type of UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0120] A wireless device 15300 may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, wireless device 15300 may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, wireless device 15300 may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, wireless device 15300 may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).In particular embodiments, wireless device 15300 includes processing circuitry 15302 that is operatively coupled via a bus 15304 to an input / output interface 15306, a power source 15308, a memory 15310, a communication interface 15312, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain embodiments of wireless device 15300 may include all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 10. The level of integration between the components may vary from one embodiment of wireless device 15300 to another. In general, in a particular embodiment of wireless device 15300, processing circuitry 15302, input / output interface 15306, power source 15308, memory 15310, and communication interface 15312 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of wireless device 15300. Further, certain embodiments of wireless devices 15300 may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0121] The processing circuitry 15302 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 15310. The processing circuitry 15302 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 15302 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0122] In the example, the input / output interface 15306 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices.

[0123] Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into wireless device 15300. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0124] In some embodiments, the power source 15308 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used to supply power to circuitry or to charge anassociated battery. The power source 15308 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 15308 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of wireless device 15300 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power source 15308 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to make accessible power suitable for the respective components of the wireless device 15300 to which power is supplied.

[0125] The memory 15310 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 15310 includes one or more programs 15314, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 15316. The memory 15310 may store, for use by wireless device 15300, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0126] The memory 15310 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUlCC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 15310 may allow wireless device 15300 to access instructions, programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 15310, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0127] The processing circuitry 15302 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network via or using the communication interface 15312. The communication interface 15312 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 15322. The communication interface 15312 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another wireless device or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 15318 and / or a receiver 15320 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 15318 and receiver 15320 may becoupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 15322) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0128] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 15312 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11 , Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0129] In particular embodiments, wireless device 15300 may provide an output of data captured via a sensor, through its communication interface 15312, via a wireless connection to a network node, and / or in any appropriate manner. Data captured by sensors of a wireless device 15300 can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another wireless device 15300. In particular embodiments, such output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0130] As another example, wireless device 15300 comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, wireless device 15300 may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0131] Wireless device 15300, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehiclecharging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. In particular embodiments, wireless device 15300 represents an loT device that comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the example embodiment of wireless device 15300 shown in Figure 10.

[0132] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, wireless device 15300 may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another wireless device and / or a network node.

[0133] Wireless device 15300 may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, wireless device 15300 may implement the 3GPP NB-loT standard. In other scenarios, wireless device 15300 may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0134] In practice, any number of wireless devices 15300 may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first wireless device 15300 might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second wireless device 15300 that is a remote controller operating the drone. When a user makes changes from the remote controller, the first wireless device 15300 may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second wireless device 15300 can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, wireless device 15300 might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0135] Figure 11 shows a network node 15400, being an example of the first network node 140 and / or the second network node 150, in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunications network. In accordance with respective embodiments, network node 15400 may be configured to operate in communication system 15100 of Figure 8, like network nodes 15108 or 15110, or in communication system 15200 of Figure 9, like an AP 15210 or a station 15212. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).Network nodes 15400 may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. Network node 15400 may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. Network nodes 15400 may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0136] Other examples of network nodes 15400 include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, SelfOrganizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0137] In particular embodiments, network node 15400 includes a processing circuitry 15402, a memory 15404, a communication interface 15406, and a power source 15408. In general, in a particular embodiment of network node 15400, processing circuitry 15402, memory 15404, communication interface 15406, and power source 15408 may, in whole or in part, represent or include physical components common to or shared by one or more of the other elements of network node 15400.

[0138] The network node 15400 may be composed of multiple distinct network entities (e.g., a NodeB entity and a RNC entity, or a BTS entity and a BSC entity, etc.), which may each have or utilize their own respective physical components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 15400 comprises multiple such entities (e.g., BTS and BSC), one or more of the separate entities may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 15400 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memories 15404 or portions of memory 15404 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 15410 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 15400 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 15400, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi (e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard), Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wirelesstechnologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 15400.

[0139] The processing circuitry 15402 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other components, such as the memory 15404, to provide network node 15400 functionality.

[0140] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 15402 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 15402 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 15412 and baseband processing circuitry 15414. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 15412 and the baseband processing circuitry 15414 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 15412 and baseband processing circuitry 15414 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0141] The memory 15404 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or nonvolatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 15402. The memory 15404 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 15402 and utilized by the network node 15400. The memory 15404 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 15402 and / or any data received via the communication interface 15406. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 15402 and memory 15404 is integrated.

[0142] The communication interface 15406 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data with UEs, other network nodes, and / or any other network equipment. In the illustrated embodiment, communication interface 15406 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 15416 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. In particular embodiments, network node 15300 may be capable of wireless communication and communication interface 15406 may also include radio front-end circuitry 15418 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, an antenna 15410. Particular embodiments of radio front-end circuitry 15418 include filter(s) 15420 and amplifier(s) 15422. The radio front-end circuitry 15418 may be connected to an antenna 15410 and processing circuitry 15402. The radiofront-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 15410 and processing circuitry 15402. The radio front-end circuitry 15418 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 15418 may convert the digital data into a radio signal(s) having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 15420 and / or amplifiers 15422. The radio signal(s) may then be transmitted via the antenna 15410. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 15410 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 15418. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 15402. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0143] In certain alternative embodiments, network node 15400 may be capable of wireless communication but does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 15418, instead, the processing circuitry 15402 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 15410. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 15412 is part of the communication interface 15406. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 15406 includes one or more ports or terminals 15416, the radio front-end circuitry 15418, and the RF transceiver circuitry 15412, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 15406 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 15414, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0144] The antenna 15410 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 15410 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 15418 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 15410 is separate from the network node 15400 and connectable to the network node 15400 through one or more interfaces or ports.

[0145] The antenna 15410, communication interface 15406, and / or the processing circuitry 15402 may be configured to perform some or all of the receiving operations and / or obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node 15400. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 15410, the communication interface 15406, and / or the processing circuitry 15402 may be configured to perform some or all of the transmitting or sending operations described herein as being performed by the network node 15400. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0146] The power source 15408 provides power to the various components of network node 15400 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 15408 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 15400 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 15400 may beconnectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 15408. As a further example, the power source 15408 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0147] Embodiments of the network node 15400 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 11 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 15400 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 15400 and to allow output of information from the network node 15400. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 15400.

[0148] Figure 12 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 15500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 15500 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as an access network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which a virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 15500 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an 0-2 interface.

[0149] Applications 15502 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment Q400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0150] Hardware 15504 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 15506 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VM 15508A and VM15508B (which may be collectively referred to as VMs 15508), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 15506 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to one or more of the VMs 15508.

[0151] The VMs 15508 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by virtualization layer 15506. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 15502 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 15508, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0152] In the context of NFV, each of the VMs 15508 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs 15508, and that part of hardware 15504 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more of the VMs 15508 on top of the hardware 15504 and corresponds to an application 15502.

[0153] Hardware 15504 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 15504 may implement some functions via virtualization.

[0154] Alternatively, hardware 15504 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 15510, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 15502. In some embodiments, hardware 15504 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 15512 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0155] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into otherinformation, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0156] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0157] The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

[0158] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings represent non-limiting examples of the methods and apparatus taught herein. As such, the apparatus and techniques taught herein are not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Instead, the embodiments herein are limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

[0159]

[0160] Embodiments:

[0161] Embodiment A1.A method performed by a first network node (140) for handling communication in a communication network, the method comprising

[0162] - transmitting (401) to a second network node (150), an indication indicating a request for the second network node (150) to report power information paired with the timing information for one or more measurements.

[0163] Embodiment A2.

[0164] The method according to embodiment A1 , further comprising

[0165] receiving (402) a report indication from the second network node (150), wherein the report indication indicates measured power information and timing information related to one or more measurements.

[0166] Embodiment A3.

[0167] The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A2, further comprising

[0168] performing (403) an action based on the report indication.

[0169] Embodiment B1.

[0170] A method performed by a second network node (150) for handling communication in a communication network, the method comprising

[0171] receiving (501) from a first network node (140) an indication indicating a request for the second network node (150) to report power information paired with the timing information for one or more measurements.

[0172] Embodiment B2.

[0173] The method according to embodiment B1 , further comprising

[0174] - transmitting (503) a report indication to the first network node (140), wherein the report indication indicates measured power information and timing information related to one or more measurements.

[0175] Embodiment B3.

[0176] The method according to any of the embodiments B1-B2, further comprising

[0177] measuring (502) signal power and / or timing information of one or more signals.

[0178] Embodiment C1.

[0179] A first network node (140) for handling communication in a communication network, wherein the first network node (140) is configured to:transmit to a second network node (150), an indication indicating a request for the second network node (150) to report power information paired with the timing information for one or more measurements.

[0180] Embodiment C2.

[0181] The first network node according to embodiment C1 , wherein the first network node is configured to perform the method according to any of the embodiments A2-A3.

[0182] Embodiment D1.

[0183] A second network node (150) for handling communication in a communication network, wherein the second network node is configured to:

[0184] receive from a first network node (140) an indication indicating a request for the second network node (150) to report power information paired with the timing information for one or more measurements.

[0185] Embodiment D2.

[0186] The second network node (150) according to embodiment D1, wherein the second network node (150) is configured to perform the method according to any of the embodiments B2-B3.

[0187] Embodiment E1.

[0188] A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the embodiments A1-A3 or B1-B3, as performed by the first network node 140 and the second network node 150, respectively.

[0189] Embodiment F1.

[0190] A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the embodiments A1-A3 or B1-B3, as performed by the first network node 140 and the second network node 150, respectively.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a first network node (140) for handling communication in a communication network, the method comprising- transmitting (401) to a second network node (150), an indication indicating a request for the second network node (150) to report power information paired with timing information for one or more channel response measurements.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising- receiving (402) a report indication from the second network node (150), wherein the report indication indicates measured power information and timing information related to one or more channel response measurements.

3. The method according to any of the claims 1-2, further comprising- performing (403) an action based on the report indication.

4. The method according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein the measured power information comprises measured reference signal received path power, RSRPP, and / or measured reference signal received power, RSRP.

5. The method according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the power information and the timing information are related to one or more sounding reference signals, SRS.

6. The method according to any of the claims 1-5, wherein the first network node comprises a location management function node, or a central unit.

7. The method according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein the indication is transmitted in a New Radio Positioning Protocol A, NRPPa, or an F1 Application Protocol, AP.

8. A method performed by a second network node (150) for handling communication in a communication network, the method comprising- receiving (501) from a first network node (140) an indication indicating a request for the second network node (150) to report power information paired with timing information for one or more channel response measurements, and- transmitting (503) a report indication to the first network node (140), wherein the report indication indicates measured power information and the timing information related to the one or more channel response measurements.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprisingmeasuring (502) signal power and / or timing information of one or more signals.

10. The method according to any of the claims 8-9, wherein the power information and the timing information are related to one or more sounding reference signals, SRS.

11. The method according to any of the claims 8-10, wherein the second network node comprises a radio access network node (12), or a distributed unit.

12. The method according to any of the claims 8-11, wherein the indication is received in a New Radio Positioning Protocol A, NRPPa, or an F1 Application Protocol, AP.

13. A first network node (140) for handling communication in a communication network, wherein the first network node (140) is configured totransmit to a second network node (150), an indication indicating a request for the second network node (150) to report power information paired with timing information for one or more channel response measurements.

14. The first network node (140) according to claim 13, wherein the first network node (140) is configured toreceive a report indication from the second network node (150), wherein the report indication indicates measured power information and timing information related to one or more channel response measurements.

15. The first network node (140) according to any of the claims 13-14, wherein the first network node (140) is configured toperform an action based on the report indication.

16. The first network node (140) according to any of the claims 13-15, wherein the measured power information comprises measured reference signal received path power, RSRPP, and / or measured reference signal received power, RSRP.

17. The first network node (140) according to any of the claims 13-16, wherein the power information and the timing information are related to one or more sounding reference signals, SRS.

18. The first network node (140) according to any of the claims 13-17, wherein the first network node comprises a location management function node, or a central unit.

19. The first network node (140) according to any of the claims 13-18, wherein the indication is transmitted in a New Radio Positioning Protocol A, NRPPa, or an F1 Application Protocol, AP.

20. A second network node (150) for handling communication in a communication network, wherein the second network node is configured toreceive from a first network node (140) an indication indicating a request for the second network node (150) to report power information paired with timing information for one or more channel response measurement, andtransmit a report indication to the first network node (140), wherein the report indication indicates measured power information and the timing information related to the one or more channel response measurements.

21. The second network node (150) according to claim 20, wherein the second network node is configured tomeasure signal power and / or timing information of one or more signals.

22. The second network node (150) according to any of the claims 20-21, wherein the power information and the timing information are related to one or more sounding reference signals, SRS.

23. The second network node (150) according to any of the claims 20-22, wherein the second network node comprises a radio access network node (12), or a distributed unit.

24. The second network node (150) according to any of the claims 20-23, wherein the indication is received in a New Radio Positioning Protocol A, NRPPa, or an F1 Application Protocol, AP.

25. A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-12, as performed by the first network node (140) and the second network node (150), respectively.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of theclaims 1-12, as performed by the first network node (140) and the second network node (150), respectively.

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